Strengths

Andrew Weber-USA TODAY SportsGabe Linehan (#87) will be back to bolster Boise State's depth at tight end, which suffered due to injuries in 2012.

Boise State isn’t known for using its tight ends much in the passing game, but those individuals who play the position in Chris Petersen’s system aren’t on the field just for show.

Rather, they are instrumental in the success of the running game, especially in plays where the running back is likely to bounce outside.

So, with Gabe Linehan and Kyle Sosnowski returning, it's going to be an advantage. Linehan, a senior, and Sosnowski, a junior, went down with season-ending injuries last season, which left the Broncos thin at tight end.

This season, depth will definitely not be an issue. Besides Linehan and Sosnowski, Petersen also has sophomore Holden Huff and junior Connor Peters (who moved to the position from fullback) battling for playing time.

All four should see action.

At 6’4”, 253 pounds, Peters is the biggest of the bunch and will be an asset, assuming his blocking skills translate (he isn’t exactly green to the position).

Huff, at 6’5”, has the potential to be a threat in the passing game, showing speed and soft hands during his freshman year when he caught four touchdown passes.

Linehan and Sosnowski are more of the prototypical tight ends who would be expected in Petersen’s system with Linehan also having the ability to catch the ball.

In a perfect world, no one gets hurt and the Broncos will have a strong rotation at the position.

Linehan and Sosnowksi went down with season-ending injuries in 2012, and based on the team's physical play, it wouldn’t be surprising if at least one of the contributors had to deal with an injury this year.

But the Broncos have a strong tight end corps—a few players who are good in the blocking game, a speedier player with good hands and reserves who will keep the starters on their toes (in Peters and sophomore Jake Hardee).

Until the running game shows signs of weakness in off-tackle plays, there isn’t reason to try to poke a hole in this unit.

Key Position Battles

Brian Losness-USA TODAY SportsLinehan will probably be slated as the starter for the Broncos, but don't be surprised if several players get plenty of playing time at tight end for the Broncos.

As a senior and one of the players who would have played most of last season had it not been for an injury, Linehan probably will see the field a lot this season.

After him, it's wide open.

Because of his impressive freshman year and unique ability at the position, Huff also looks poised to see playing time. It would be ideal if he could bulk up without losing the speed that makes him a weapon in the passing game.

Sosnowski, Peters and Hardee also will be in the running for a starting job, but they might enter as reserves in most games. We are aware of Petersen’s preference to cycle many players into the game, however, so don’t expect any of these three to ride the bench.

The “starting” job might be more of a title than anything else. All five will get playing time if they consistently perform when they get the opportunity. Keeping players fresh will limit the chance of injury, which is the last thing the Broncos want after dealing with that in 2012.